Consistent with earlier tastings notes, medium to full bodied , deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish.
Four years since the last time I tasted this, and I was afraid it might be over-the-hill. Surprisingly, it wasn't. In fact, it had improved rather dramatically. Same plummy nose, but it now shows hints of leather and herbs. Nice texture and a very good finish. Still not worth the money (I was drunk when I bought it at the winery), but a pretty nice wine after all these years.
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Brings to mind what used to be one of the most enjoyable cellar tours of Napa if David did the tour. Still remember the creme brûlée barrel. Anyhow this is in a really good place but doubt its got a lot of time left. Dark purple, lengthy finish, best Del Dotto we have had.
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This was drinking beautifully from 3.0L served with goat leg and all the fixings at the King's Table at the Girl n the Goat. Deep dark purple juice from Napa Valley that had a long lovely finish. Tons of fruit left in this baby! Enjoyed greatly with friends.
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Purchased at the winery in 2004 following a barrel tasting tour (meaning my judgment may have been slightly impaired). Dark, with no signs of age. Plums on a somewhat reticent nose and on the palate. Given this winery's obsession with oak experimentation, there was a surprising lack of coffee, vanilla, cedar, etc. - only a slight trace of smoke on the nose. Fairly light body for a Cabernet, but plenty of fruit on the finish. Not bad, but not worth what I paid for it, either. Still well balanced - should probably go another couple years.
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Decanted. Very good, can't really say it has improved with age, but didn't seem to be on the downslope either. Probably a little smoother than it used to be, but the flavors are pretty typcial and subdued.
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Just coming into its own here...typical Napa nose, nothing special, but once in the mouth, something special is happening...sweet cassis, coupled with deep rich fruit and a nice oak balance. Paired with steaks on the barbie and a rich mushroom roux, all made for each other. Bottle didn't last long, but the wine had an easy 4-5 years of further development left. Impressive showing for this bottle.
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Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample - Lot C - from a Demptos American (Missouri) Oak barrel, medium toast, toasted heads, 27-mo. Staves. The staff has nick-named this the "Crème Brulee Barrel" for its distinctive nose. Sweet anise, carmelized sugar nose. Deeply colored wine. Sweet-tart fruit, then lush red fruit. Pretty good. A bit short if I can find a fault.
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Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample, again Lot C - French barrel - "Kober" (sp.) - Subdued nose, more elegant smelling. Sweet red berry fruit. Soft. Okay. This was a slow heavy toast barrel.
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Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample - Lot C - A barrel with staves from five different French forests - caramel, toasted oak nose. Rich smelling with a leafy note. A bit sweet tart, then tannic, red currant fruit. Eh. Not exactly sure what went wrong with this wine, and my tasting notes are no help.
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8/20/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose of black berry, tired fruit, at end of drinking window, tasty, mouth filling, simple, medium/long finish.
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10/31/2016 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consistent with earlier tastings notes, medium to full bodied , deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/10/del-dotto-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon.html
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7/5/2015 - cab blends Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Not what I expected. (Compared to the Anwilka I was drinking at the same time). Very slight nose with a hint of cassis and dark leather.
The body was thinner than I expected and the acidity was coming through. Almost Italian in its profile.
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7/5/2015 - Millennial Drinkers Likes this wine: 91 Points
smooth and enjoyable, excited for when I visit in October
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4/26/2014 - Night Train Likes this wine: 90 Points
Four years since the last time I tasted this, and I was afraid it might be over-the-hill. Surprisingly, it wasn't. In fact, it had improved rather dramatically. Same plummy nose, but it now shows hints of leather and herbs. Nice texture and a very good finish. Still not worth the money (I was drunk when I bought it at the winery), but a pretty nice wine after all these years.
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12/26/2013 - capacious Likes this wine: 91 Points
Brings to mind what used to be one of the most enjoyable cellar tours of Napa if David did the tour. Still remember the creme brûlée barrel. Anyhow this is in a really good place but doubt its got a lot of time left. Dark purple, lengthy finish, best Del Dotto we have had.
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1/23/2013 - charleshetzel wrote: 98 Points
This was drinking beautifully from 3.0L served with goat leg and all the fixings at the King's Table at the Girl n the Goat. Deep dark purple juice from Napa Valley that had a long lovely finish. Tons of fruit left in this baby! Enjoyed greatly with friends.
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12/3/2011 - BrewWench wrote: 87 Points
Opened tight, so we decanted. Medium finish, with complex tannins and red cherry. Quaffed whilst grilling. Drink now.
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6/5/2010 - Night Train wrote: 88 Points
Purchased at the winery in 2004 following a barrel tasting tour (meaning my judgment may have been slightly impaired). Dark, with no signs of age. Plums on a somewhat reticent nose and on the palate. Given this winery's obsession with oak experimentation, there was a surprising lack of coffee, vanilla, cedar, etc. - only a slight trace of smoke on the nose. Fairly light body for a Cabernet, but plenty of fruit on the finish. Not bad, but not worth what I paid for it, either. Still well balanced - should probably go another couple years.
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2/15/2009 - VinoTx wrote: 88 Points
Decanted. Very good, can't really say it has improved with age, but didn't seem to be on the downslope either. Probably a little smoother than it used to be, but the flavors are pretty typcial and subdued.
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6/23/2008 - kavitha and nick wrote: 92 Points
very good napa cab
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1/1/2007 - soprano wrote: 95 Points
Balanced,tannic
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11/28/2006 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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6/10/2006 - irish87 wrote: 86 Points
Overpriced. OK, but not great.
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12/27/2005 - zoeldar wrote: 94 Points
Just coming into its own here...typical Napa nose, nothing special, but once in the mouth, something special is happening...sweet cassis, coupled with deep rich fruit and a nice oak balance. Paired with steaks on the barbie and a rich mushroom roux, all made for each other. Bottle didn't last long, but the wine had an easy 4-5 years of further development left. Impressive showing for this bottle.
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6/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample - Lot C - from a Demptos American (Missouri) Oak barrel, medium toast, toasted heads, 27-mo. Staves. The staff has nick-named this the "Crème Brulee Barrel" for its distinctive nose. Sweet anise, carmelized sugar nose. Deeply colored wine. Sweet-tart fruit, then lush red fruit. Pretty good. A bit short if I can find a fault.
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6/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample, again Lot C - French barrel - "Kober" (sp.) - Subdued nose, more elegant smelling. Sweet red berry fruit. Soft. Okay. This was a slow heavy toast barrel.
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6/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Napa-Noma Trip: Barrel Sample - Lot C - A barrel with staves from five different French forests - caramel, toasted oak nose. Rich smelling with a leafy note. A bit sweet tart, then tannic, red currant fruit. Eh. Not exactly sure what went wrong with this wine, and my tasting notes are no help.
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6/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Napa-Noma Trip: Toasty caramel, cedar. Tart berry fruit. Rich and concentrated with red fruit and cottony tannins. Not bad.
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6/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
Napa-Noma Trip: Deeply colored. Restrained nose. Softer entry with black fruit. A bit tart, with moderate, astringent tannins in the finish.
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